"We have spotted nine new bodies today," said Govinda Pathak, police head in the district of Mustang. "We could not retrieve them because of bad weather conditions and snowfall. I can confirm that the toll is 39 now."

The authorities rescued 60 more people on Saturday, when the army deployed troops on a ground search, taking the total number saved to 371.

Dozens more are still taking shelter in isolated mountain huts, a government official said.

Rescue team members carry avalanche victims to safety in the Thorong La pass area of Nepal on Friday. (Nepalese Army/Associated Press)

Montreal-based travel company Terra Ultima said Wednesday that three Quebec women are missing and feared dead. The women include two in their 50s and one in her 30s. One of the missing is the hikers' guide. Genviève Adam, a 33-year-old Quebec City-area nurse, is among the group of hikers believed to have been buried by the avalanche.

The nine victims whose bodies were spotted Saturday were most likely Nepalese porters, according to an official with the Trekking Agents Association of Nepal.